Social Cowgirl: Vi-Pak Questions and Answers

Vi-Pak Questions and Answers

Why are there not different Vi-pak®’s for men and women?

Generally speaking, the RDA (Recommended Dietary Intake) is similar for men and women, and differs depending on if the woman is pregnant/lactating, post-menopausal, etc. The Vi-pak® will be beneficial to both men and women, Olympic or professional athletes. The primary difference for men and women tends to be 1200-1500 mg of absorbable calcium. Technically, one would need to also consider age, height, weight, diet, smoking and alcohol use, exercise, medical problems, blood type and family history to truly be customizable. We designed the Vi-pak® to meet the nutritional needs of most people, or what we consider 99% of all people for wellness. Thus, we do encourage women to take an additional 1000 mg of calcium per day; be sure it is chelated, i.e. Calcium citrate, gluconate or glycinate, many of these products come with additional vitamin D and it is okay to use the Vi-pak® even if taking additional calcium and Vitamin D.

Is the Vi-pak® Kosher?

If a product is ‘registered’ as Kosher, it means a Rabbi has to be present during manufacturing to bless the ingredients and the method in which they are made. The Vi-pak® does use kosher gelatin in the Omega capsule. We do use kosher ingredients, but have not made the next step in having each formula, ingredient, and manufacturing process certified.

Would liquids be better absorbed than the Vi-pak®?

Our products have been proven to break down into the body quickly, and are available within less than an hour (except for those people that have had gastric bypass surgery). Some liquid minerals (like colloidals) may be better absorbed, but are worrisome for more than short term nutritional healing programs. And, not all foods are better taken as a liquid for absorption (i.e. it’s often better to eat a whole fruit than just the juice alone). Our formula includes chelated vitamins and minerals to be better absorbed, and far surpass (by more than 10X) the absorption rates (often 2-5%) of competitors brands.

How does the Vi-pak® compare to the cleansing programs/products on the market?

There are no direct ingredients in the Vi-pak® that act as a colon or liver cleanser per se. The idea of cleansing has always been an interesting premise. The majority of the cleansing compounds essentially empty your intestines. This is the basis of the preparations used prior to colonoscopy. The science does not suggest a real benefit.

Ingredient Questions:

1. Why is there no iron in the Vi-pak®?

The Vi-pak® was designed to exceed the best supplements available on the market place. It provides so many important nutrients lacking in most excellent supplements currently in the market. However, there is no doubt that iron is intentionally left out. It is a strong oxidant (we want to provide powerful ANTIOXIDANT activity). People, women included, who eat a relatively healthy diet will have more than enough iron in their diet. However, if the woman is of menstruating age, and has anemia then she would need extra iron. Nonetheless, most menstruating women DO NOT require extra iron. (She would have to have a simple blood test to determine whether or not she needs extra iron).

2. Are the ingredients natural, organic?

The overwhelming majority of the ingredients are from natural sources, including botanicals. However, there are some ingredients such as Acetyl-l-carnitine in the anti-age formula that in order to get from a food source you would need to consume 3-4 steaks, or about 20 pounds of broccoli each day. Since that is not practical, we did include this powerful and necessary ingredient.

3. Can you tell us the source of the ingredients? A competitor brand keeps saying that they are from natural food sources.

Other than the acetyl-l-carnitine (question above this one), our products are indeed from natural sources. We are aware that some competitors claim they are derived from fruit & vegetable powders. However, they are also ‘fortified’ with vitamins and minerals. So it is hard to compare vs. all brands, and consumers should be aware of clever marketing. Our product has scientifically formulated ingredients based on Dr. Seidman’s 25 years of funding from federal sources including the NIH and other institutions The minerals are chelated to be absorbed, and provide superior nutrition derived from natural, botanical ingredients including food sources.

4. What is the ratio of your Omega oils? Are they healthy?

Most people don’t eat salmon or mackerel (fishes high in omega oils) 3 times per week. So for those who don’t eat these types of fish, we recommend the Omega in our Vi-pak®. Double distilled oils, minimizing toxins that may be in competitor oils. Ours are the ideal supplementation of EFA’s in the diet is a ratio of 3:1of Omega 3’s to 6’s. The typical American Diet has EFA’s in a ratio of 1:20 Omega 3’s to 6’s. Most companies that make an essential oils formula provide a 3:1 ratio of Omega 3 to 6’s, our ratio is 12:1 more than 4 times the amount of Omega 3’s.

5. How does this Omega compare to Krill Oil?

Krill oil is no doubt very good for you. Our Vi-pak® ORAC value (combined) is still superior. We also enhance our essential oils with phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidlyserine, and much more. In terms of purity, our oils are double distilled at the molecular level. Our oils have 834mg of fish oil equating to 100mg of DHA and 150mg of EPA. We also have Evening Primrose Oil supplying 22.5mg of gamma linolenic acid and 192.5 mg of linoleic acid; the Flaxseed provides all organic 125 mg of alpha linolenic acid, so many benefits.

6. What is magnesium stearate and why is it in the Vi-pak®?I’ve heard rumors about this ingredient, and titanium dioxide.

Magnesium stearate is a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) and is used around the world. It contains two molecules: one is magnesium which is a vital nutrient in the body, and the other is stearic acid which is fat made from soy, corn, or olive oil. If you eat a normal diet you get 100 times the amount of these ingredients. The ingredient is used to manufacture the tablets, to help prevent them from sticking in the machines. In one tablet you get only 5mg or less, about the size of a grain of sand. There is no evidence this compound from the earth isof any danger. Titanium dioxide is a natural product, is from natural sources, is food safe, and has a food rating and not believed to have any negative effects. Some people confuse the name of the ingredient, and try to whip up confusion for no real purpose.

7. What type of calcium is in the Vi-pak®? Why is there not more?

The calcium is from calcium glycinate (a chelated calcium to enhance absorption). Calcium is important for women, and we do recommend them to take additional calcium if they are not getting it from their diet. We did not include because we would have had to add many more tablets, and it is something that people can get from a healthy diet, including from our ViSalus Vi-Shape nutritional shake mix.

8. Why use gelatin? Instead use Vegetarian gelatin for the capsules?

Vegetable caps fall apart quickly, and are not compatible to the shelf life and did not do as good a job maintaining the quality of the product.

9. Does the Vi-pak® have glutens?

The Vi-pak® is gluten free.

10. Is Glutathione not better absorbed as a liquid?

In general it is well known that l-glutathione alone is poorly absorbed. Part of our patent has shown that glutathione levels were significantly increased. Thus there appears to be a synergy with our four products. Furthermore, if you are taking the antioxidant in the Vi-pak®, then you are getting n-acetyl cysteine which is well absorbed and is promptly converted to glutathione.

11. Has the Vi-pak® spurred any allergic reactions?

We have not heard of any to date. In the U.S. about 1.5% of Americans have true food allergies. Food allergy patterns in adults differ somewhat from those in children. The most common foods to cause allergies in adults are shrimp, lobster, crab, and other shellfish; peanuts (one of the chief foods responsible for severe anaphylaxis); walnuts and other tree nuts; fish; and eggs. We do have trace amounts of soy oil in the Vi-pak®, but do not include eggs, nuts, etc. If you have any known allergies, we recommend you speak with your physician, and have them look at the ingredient list with you to determine if you are able to take the product.

12. What if I am worried about Vitamin A?

The Vi-pak® does not contain the worrisome form of Vitamin A. It uses the natural analog which is Beta Carotene, and technically there are no known toxic doses.

Medication/Interaction questions:

1. I am allergic to Niacin. Can I take the Vi-pak®?

It is rare that someone would be allergic to Niacin. However, many people experience a Niacin ‘flush’, which is fairly normal. It may cause a mild tingling, and flushing. If they have concerns, they should speak to their physician prior to using the Vi-pak®.

2. What about blood thinners, or other cardiovascular medications? Can someone use the Vi-pak®?

Anyone on a blood thinner should speak with their physician prior to taking the Vi-pak®, or any nutritional supplement.

3. Can I use Vi-pak® if I have a pacemaker?

There is no known contraindication for Vi-pak® and pacemakers. Anyone with serious cardiovascular diseases should consult a physician before taking any nutritional supplement.

4. Can I use the Vi-pak® if I have high blood pressure, or take blood pressure medications?

Most people will notice no change in their blood pressure readings.

5. Can I use the Vi-pak® if I am on cholesterol lowering medications?

The Vi-pak® will support the chemistry in the body to favor ‘healthier’ blood. In a nutshell, yes you can take the Vi-pak® while on cholesterol medications.

6. I am scheduled to have surgery, should I stop taking the Vi-pak®?

Yes, do not take the Vi-pak® within 7-10 days of surgery. Ginkgo Biloba (in the Vi-pak®) can thin the blood and some of the ingredients in the essential oils formula can also have a blood thinning effect. Usually you can re-start the supplements within 72 hours after the surgery. Please discuss with your physician.

7. Can diabetics take the Vi-pak®?

There would be no contraindication or negative for those with type 1 or type 2 Diabetes to use the product. Many of the ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid and the chromium picolinate are beneficial.

8. My urine appears to be darker on the Vi-pak®. Why is that?

Yes. This is great to hear, and it is normal, as it means your body is absorbing the B-Vitamins, and excreting the rest.

Science & Proof questions:

1.Who is Dr. Seidman, and what is his background?

Michael D. Seidman, MD attained both his B.S. in Human Nutrition and M.D. from the University of Michigan. After a five-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery he completed a fellowship in Otologic/Neurotologic and Skull Base Surgery at the Ear Research Foundation in Florida. Dr. Seidman is the Director-Division of Otologic;/ Neurotologic Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Director of Otolaryngology Research Laboratory, the Co-Director of the Tinnitus Center, and the Chair of the Center for Integrative Medicine and a past President of the Michigan Otolaryngology Society. He is Co-Editor for the International Tinnitus Journal, the Associate Editor for the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Journal, and is on the Editorial Review Board for seven major Otolaryngology Journals and the American Journal of Chinese Medicine. Additionally, he has been appointed to the State Medical Board of Audiology, the Scientific or Advisory Board of the Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc., the Life Extension Foundation, IntraEar, the Ear Research Foundation, Arches Company, Auris Medical, the American Tinnitus Association, Gel Tech, BASF, and WebMD. He also serves as a consultant for many professional athletes, and is an advisor for several teams in the NHL, NFL, and the ABA.

Dr. Seidman is an active scientist and has had funding from the National Institutes of Health for over 20 years, and other major institutions. He is considered by his peers as an expert on the molecular basis of aging, noise induced hearing loss, otologic/neurotologic-skull base surgery, all aspects of ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgery, tinnitus, herbal therapies, nutrition/antioxidants and their relationship to health, sports and aging. Dr. Seidman lectures around the world on such topics; has more than 90 major publications, numerous awards, the recipient of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Clinical Practitioner Excellence Award (given to one Otolaryngologist each year) and has received two patents, one on a supplement that positively effects age-related hearing loss and a second one that is able to determine an individuals “molecular age”. Additionally, he has multiple patents pending on aging, mitochondrial function endurance enhancement, and

surgical tools and techniques. He has long been interested in supplementation and began developing novel combinations of supplements in 1981.

2.Can you prove that there was NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding? I did not see him listed

on the NIH.

Here is a list of grants that have been funded over the past 16 years:

The P 1. rotective Effects of Allopurinol and Superoxide-Dismutase on Cochlear Ischemia.

Funded October 1, 1989 September 1, 1990. HFH Grant #A30415.

2. Upjohn Company: Provided U74006F (21 aminosteroid – lazaroid) / For experiments in Cochlear Ischemia and

Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

3. The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Resident Training Grant,

June 1, 1990 – July 30, 1990.

4. The Protective Effect of U74006F on Cochlear Ischemia. Funded October 1, 1990 – June 30, 1991.

5. Machida, Inc., Awarded the use of two investigational flexible scopes,1991.

6. Flexible Fiberoptic Middle Ear Otoscopy. A Cadaver and Live Human Study. (Approved from HFH), 1991.

7. Permanent Threshold Shifts Secondary to Noise Trauma and Variations in Mitochondrial DNA Deletions.

(January 1, 1993-December 31, 1996).

8. National Institute of Deafness and Communicative Disorders. Vascular, Free Radical and DNA Changes in Aged

Cochlea’s, June 1, 1994 – June 30, 1999.

9. Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Antioxidant and Free Radical Studies.

10. Pharmacia and UpJohn Corporation. Antioxidant and Free Radical Studies.

11. Their Effects on Age-Related Hearing Loss, Henry Ford

Hospital.

12. Mitochondrial Metabolites and Mitochondrial Function Using Flow Cytometry.

13. Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Presbyacusis, and DNA Changes 1996 – 2001.

14. The effects of phosphatadylcholine on aging, mitochondrial function and hearing. Nutritional

Therapeutics. 1998 –2000.

15. The effects of Leupeptin, a caspase inhibitor on cochlear blood flow and hearing. (Seidman). Martha

Entenmann Tinnitus Center. 1999 – 2000

16. Antioxidants and sound conditioning prevention of NIHL. 1999-2000. National Institute of Occupational

Safety and Health. (Quirk and Seidman)

17. The effects of grape seed extract on age related hearing loss and aging. California Table Grape

Association. 2001 – 2002.

18. The effects of resveratrol of age-related hearing loss and DNA damage. NCCAM. July 2003- 2006.

19. The effects of cortical electrical stimulation for tinnitus 2005-2009 Medtronic Inc

3. What information can you share on the 2 patents and the Vi-pak®?

There are several patents and copyrights:

1. “Therapeutic Treatment for Mitochondrial Function”, U.S. serial # 08/931,124. Patent # 5,977,162.

2. “Method of Determining Biological Molecular Age”. U.S. serial #10/271,469. Patent #6,933,120.

3. “Dietary Supplemental to Inhibit Cellular Aging”. Serial 10/715,148. Patent Pending.

4. “Middle Ear Bone Reconstruction Process and Devices”. Serial 60/598,191. Patent Pending.

5. “Treatment Methods and Devices for the Treatment of Tinnitus”. Patent Pending.

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